Zam: Mahathir's strategy hangs on BN votes

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Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed should reconsider whether he should continue his attacks against his successor Najib Abdul Razak if BN manages to put a dent in PKR’s majority in the Permatang Pauh by-election, said former information minister Zainuddin Maidin.

Conversely, if BN is defeated in the Rompin by-election, then Najib must resign from his post.

“If there is an increase in BN’s votes and reduction in the majority of Pakatan Rakyat votes, it means BN has successfully torn down (PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s) wall of invincibility and the morale of the opposition nationwide […]

“Victory is the goal of every party contesting in an election but it is impossible for BN in Permatang Pauh, but the success in reducing PKR’s majority is enough to restore BN’s image […],” Zainuddin wrote in his blog today.

Anwar no longer attractive

He explained that if there is a meaningful increase in BN votes in Permatang Pauh, then it shows Anwar is no longer attractive to voters and would completely lose his appeal by the next general election.

The Rompin by-election will be held on May 5 while the Permatang Pauh by-election will be held on May 7.

Anwar ( right ) had previously won the Permatang Pauh seat with a large 11,721-vote majority during the 13th general election, while the late Rompin MP Jamaludin Jarjis had an even larger 15,114-vote majority.

Meanwhile, Zainuddin also expressed surprise that Mahathir is continuing his attacks against Najib despite the ongoing election campaigns for the two by-elections, especially since Anwar is Mahathir’s “biggest enemy” in his political history.

He said Mahathir would be partly at fault if BN’s support worsened in these by-elections because of this attacks.

“Won’t Mahathir also be happy too if BN votes have increased in Permatang Pauh, which would also increase the morale in Umno and not just Najib?

“If Mahathir continues his campaign to topple Najib, won’t it also weaken Umno just when it seeks new hope (if PKR’s votes worsens)?” he asked.

Zainuddin ( left ) is a Mahathir strongman and was himself critical of Najib’s administration, until he abruptly announced that he would no longer comment on current affairs.



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